Supermarkets sweeten Thorntons sales

CONFECTIONARY retailer Thorntons today announced a 5.6 per cent increase in quarter sales, thanks to growth in its commercial division.

The firm said sales had risen to £26.8m over the ten weeks to 29 June, with UK commercial sales – to supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s - up 11.8 per cent to £9.2m.

As previously announced, Thorntons said it anticipates full-year profits to be ahead of market expectations.

The company recently increased its sales to supermarkets and plans to shut down a number of its own stores.

“Our UK commercial sales growth and market share remain strong and our own stores have now delivered positive like-for-like growth across the whole of the second half of this year,” said chief executive Jonathan Hart.

“We are on track with our store closure programme and have refurbished seven stores to our new format in the period under review.

“The trading environment continues to be challenging. The actions we have taken are delivering positive results reflected by the progressive recovery in our profitability over the past 18 months.”